Polymer coatings to passivate calcite from acid attack: polyacrylic acid and polyacrylonitrile

The extent of passivation of calcite toward dissolution by aqueous acids arising from polymeric coatings based on polyacrylic acid or polyacrylonitrile is evaluated using a channel flow cell technique with microdisc electrode detection. In situ passivation with polyacrylic acid leads to a reduction in the reactivity of calcite toward acid attack with a reduction in the rate constant by up to an order of magnitude compared with untreated calcite. Ex situ passivation with polyacrylic acid for 24 h results in good coverage of the calcite by the polymer but it is shown to erode from the surface when exposed to an aqueous acid solution. In contrast, polyacrylonitrile is demonstrated to form a regular coating after exposure for just 1 h and offers robust potent protection from aqueous acid attack.     

Kinetics and thermodynamics of the attack of a phosphate ore by acid solutions at different temperatures

A calorimetric study of the kinetics and thermodynamics of the attack of a phosphate ore from Gafsa region (Tunisia) by phosphoric acid and by a mixture of phosphoric acid and sulfuric acids is undertaken at different temperatures. Two samples of the same ore having different grain size have been used. At 25 °C, the dissolution enthalpy in phosphoric acid solution equals −233.6 ± 2.2 J/g for both of the samples. Attack by the mixture of acids is strongly dependent on the solid granulometry. Interpretation of the calorimetric results by Avrami model shows the existence of three domains attributed to phosphate ore dissolution/H₂PO₄⁻ neutralisation, hemihydrate (HH) precipitation and hemihydrate/dihydrate (DH) transformation. The attack by the acid mixture was performed at higher temperatures and showed in addition the transitional formation of the anhydrous sulfate (AH) at T ≥ 55 °C, which transforms into dihydrate after the HH/DH transformation.     

Calorimetric study of dissolution kinetics of phosphorite in diluted acetic acid

In this report, we present a thermodynamic and kinetic study of the selective dissolution of calcite from low-grade phosphate ores (Epirus area, Greece) by dilute acetic acid at isothermal conditions. A twin calorimeter with two identical membrane vessels, for the acid dissolution process, and for the reference was used. The curves of rate vs. time of the phosphorite dissolution for various temperatures show that the maximum (.q _max) was increased, whereas the time (t _peak) to achieve the corresponding .q _max values was decreased, as the experimental temperature was increased. The dissolution enthalpy was increased from 13.1 to 16.7 kJ mol⁻¹, as the experimental temperature was increased from 10.0 to 28.0°C. The chemical analysis of the supernatant solutions shows that the main process was the calcite dissolution. The reaction model with general form, ln(1/(1-X))=kt ^m, was found to fitted the experimental data regardless of the experimental temperature. These results were assigned in the presence of two different kinds of particles in the phosphorite. The activation energy of the dissolution process was found 69.7 kJ mol⁻¹. The SEM micrographs of acid dissolution samples showed two different textures after acid dissolution.     

Uranium determination in phosphoric acid solutions

In order to determine uranium from raw phosphoric acid solutions, resulted by the sulphuric acid attack of phosphate rocks and the strip solutions of the solvent extraction process for uranium recovery, two classes of analytical methods were established: one for low uranium content in phosphoric acid, and the other for higher uranium concentration in the same medium. The study was based on specific methods, therefore interference probability with other impurities in phosphoric acid medium is low. In the first class, X-ray fluorescence and spectrophotocolorimetric methods were used. X-ray fluorescence was applied on direct raw phosphoric acid solution and raffinate. The last one was associated with solvent extraction [di-(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate + triocylphosphine oxide] on the U(IV)-Arsenazo III complex in strip. The methods of the second class, were used for strip uranium concentrated solutions: X-ray fluorescence isotopic dilution and mass spectrometry, spectrophotocolorimetry and activation analysis associated with gamma-spectrometry. Here spectrophotocolorimetry involves two methods. The first one is based on the U(IV)-Arsenazo III complex and the other on direct U(IV)—phosphoric acid solutions measurements. A good agreement was obtained in each case for all comparative measurements involving various methods.     

Channel Flow Cell Studies of the Inhibiting Action of Gypsum on the Dissolution Kinetics of Calcite: A Laboratory Approach with Implications for Field Monitoring

The rate of dissolution of surface-treated calcite crystals in aqueous acidic solution has been studied using an adaptation of the channel flow cell method with microdisc electrode detection. Surface treatments of calcite with sulfuric acid lead to the nucleation of gypsum overgrowths, which reduce the rate of dissolution of calcite. Rate constants for untreated calcite and calcite pretreated with sulfuric acid conditions of 0.01 M for 1 h, 0.05 M for 5 h, and 0.1 M for 21 h are found to be 0.035, 0.018, 0.006, and 0.004 cm s(-1), respectively. Deterioration of calcite materials caused by acid deposition was investigated by field exposure of untreated and sulfate pretreated calcite rocks under urban conditions for 12 months. The rate constant for both pretreated and untreated calcite exposed to weathering is 0.003 cm s(-1). This suggests that calcite self-passivates the surface from further reaction when exposed to acid deposition. However, surface studies indicate that the surface undergoes erosion and dissolution before passivation. Pretreatment of the surface with sulfate protects the surface from acid deposition so it remains less reactive toward acid compared with untreated calcite. Copyright 2001 Academic Press.     

Determination of low levels of uranium in solutions obtained by acid attack on phosphate rock

The uranium present in the leach liquors obtained by attack on phosphate rock with sulphuric acid can be extracted with di(2-ethylhexyl)phosphoric acid and TBP after oxidation of any iron(II), and then stripped at 65 degrees with iron(II) in 8.6M phosphoric acid. The uranium is finally determined with arsenazo III.     

Dissolution of sintered thorium dioxide in phosphoric acid using autoclave and microwave methods with detection by gamma spectrometry

A quantitative and fast method of dissolution of refractory thoria (ThO₂) was developed for the determination of thorium (Th) in a given sample. The dissolution of sintered ThO₂ powder, microspheres and pellets using 88% phosphoric acid was investigated. The conditions of quantitative dissolution of ThO₂ microspheres were optimized by conventional heating in autoclave and also by microwave heating. 100 mg of sintered ThO₂ microspheres were dissolved in 8 g of phosphoric acid in an autoclave, and heating at 170 °C for 3 h, in comparison to 5 g of phosphoric acid by microwave heating (375 W) at 220 °C for 1 h. Dissolution studies on the powder form of sintered ThO₂ were also performed. 1 g of sintered ThO₂ powder could be dissolved in 6.5 g of phosphoric acid in autoclave heating at 170 °C for 1 h. Strong complexing of (PO₄)³⁻ with Th⁴⁺ may be the influencing factor for quantitative dissolution of ThO₂.     

Composition of phosphoric acid solutions obtained when orthophosphoric acid is used as solvent for iron-containing samples by heating: The influence of nitric acid, sulphuric acid and iron(III)

The dissolution of an iron-containing substance in orthophosphoric acid either alone or mixed with nitric acid or nitric acid-sulphuric acid mixture at 270-280 degrees has been examined, to determine the composition of the solutions which are used for analytical determinations. The possibility of condensation of H(3)PO(4) and formation of polyphosphoric acids during the dissolution has been proved. Solutions which may contain pyrophosphoric acid, tripolyphosphoric acid and tetrapolyphosphoric acid have been obtained. The exact composition of these solutions depends on the initial H(3)PO(4) concentration, the heating time, and, in some cases, the presence of nitric acid and sulphuric acid. It is assumed that the nitric and sulphuric acid affect the loss of water and therefore the thermal dehydration of the orthophosphoric acid during the dissolution. No qualitative changes in the phosphoric acid composition have been observed in the presence of Fe(III). Formation of Fe(III) polyphosphates is assumed.     

Transpassive dissolution mechanism of ferrous alloys in phosphoric acid/acetic acid mixtures

The transpassive dissolution of Fe-12%Cr and Fe-25%Cr alloys in near-anhydrous phosphoric acid/acetic acid mixtures has been studied by conventional voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Both steady-state and transient techniques point to two parallel pathways for the process involving oxidative dissolution of Cr as Cr(VI) and isovalent dissolution of Fe most probably mediated by an electrolyte-originating species. A simplified kinetic model of the process including only surface kinetic steps has been found to reproduce successfully both the steady-state and the small-amplitude AC response of the studied materials. The kinetic parameters of the model are determined and their relevance regarding the influence of the alloy and electrolyte composition on the relative importance of the two parallel pathways is discussed. The experimental data and model calculations indicate that the effect of acetic acid on the reaction steps related to dissolution of Fe is more significant.     

Temperature dependence of oxygen isotope acid fractionation for modern and fossil tooth enamels

The oxygen isotope ratio of CO(2) liberated from structural carbonate in tooth enamel apatite was measured at phosphoric acid reaction temperatures of 25 degrees C, 60 degrees C and 90 degrees C, and it was found that apparent acid fractionation factors for pristine enamel, fossilized enamel, and calcite follow different temperature relationships. Using sealed vessel reactions normalized to alpha(25) = 1.01025 (the fractionation factor for calcite at 25 degrees C), the apparent fractionation factor at 90 degrees C (alpha*(90)) for pristine enamel ranged between 1.00771 and 1.00820, and between 1.00695 and 1.00772 for fossilized enamel. Apparent fractionation factors for common acid bath reactions are similar to those for sealed vessel reactions. A significant correlation exists between alpha*(90) and F(-) content, suggesting that change in the acid fractionation factor may be related to the replacement of OH(-) with F(-) during fossilization of bioapatite. These results have important implications for making accurate comparisons between modern and fossil tooth enamel delta(18)O values, and for the uniformity of isotope data produced in different laboratories using different acid reaction temperatures.     

Dissolution of geological material with orthophosphoric acid for major-element determination by flame atomic-absorption spectroscopy and inductively-coupled plasma atomic-emission spectroscopy

An analytical procedure has been developed for the determination of major elements in geological material by both flame atomic-absorption spectrometry and inductively-coupled plasma atomic-emission spectrometry. Condensed phosphoric acid was used for the decomposition of 70 natural minerals containing sulphide, oxide, silicate or carbonate constituents. The results were compared with those obtained when a perchloric acid and orthophosphoric acid mixture was used for the decomposition, to ensure dissolution of even the most acid-resistant minerals. The procedure can be applied to rocks, ores, soils, slags and refractory material as a means of rapid and complete dissolution for the analysis of even the most insoluble material.     

Spectrophotometric and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometric determination of titanium in ilmenites after rapid dissolution with phosphoric acid

The use of 85% phosphoric acid in borosilicate conical flasks for the dissolution of ilmenites at 230 +/- 10 degrees C is reported. The samples were quantitatively dissolved in less than 13 min. Titanium was determined by both spectrophotometry and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry ICP-AES. Vanadium and iron were determined by ICP-AES. In several samples of ilmenites analyzed, the TiO(2) concentration was in the range 10.6-57.5% and those of FeO and V(2)O(5) were in the ranges 31.6-51.4% and 0.39-1.32%, respectively. In the spectrophotometric method, vanadium interference occurs only when the Ti V concentration ratio is <4. In all samples analyzed this ratio was around 12, resulting in no interferences due to vanadium. Hence the ilmenite dissolution procedure using phosphoric acid was compatible with titanium quantification by both spectrophotometry and ICP-AES.     

羧酸共聚物与方解石晶体相互作用的MD模拟

用分子动力学方法, 模拟计算了丙烯酸-丙烯酸甲酯共聚物(AA-MAE)、丙烯酸-丙烯酸羟丙酯共聚物(AA-HPA)、丙烯酸-马来酸共聚物(AA-MA)及水解马来酸酐(HPMA)四种聚羧酸类阻垢剂与方解石晶体(110)晶面的相互作用. 结果表明, 聚羧酸与(110)晶面结合能的大小排序为AA-MA＞HPMA＞AA-HPA＞AA-MAE; 对体系各种相互作用以及径向分布函数的分析表明, 结合能主要由库仑作用(包括离子键)提供, 并含少量氢键成分. 与方解石晶面结合的聚合物发生扭曲变形, 但形变能远小于相应的非键作用能. 聚合物中不同位置羧基的动力学行为差别很大, 链端羧基的运动翻转比链中部羧基剧烈得多, 故后者与晶面的结合比前者更牢固而具有更强的阻垢能力.     

Natural radionuclide-free phosphoric acid production

High-uranium phosphate rock from Itataia, Brazil, was milled for wet-process phosphoric acid production using the dihydrate method. Uranium contained in the phosphoric acid was recovered by solvent extraction. The distribution of long-lived natural radionuclides of the ²³⁸U and ²³²Th decay series involved in these operations was evaluated. ²²⁶Ra, ²²⁸Ra and ²¹⁰Pb were found to predominate in the phosphogypsum, while ²²⁸Th, ²³⁰Th and ²³²Th in the uranium-free phosphoric acid. Thorium is removed from the phosphoric acid by solvent extraction to produce a NORM-free phosphoric acid.     

Energy dispersive X-Ray fluorescence determination of thorium in phosphoric acid solutions

Energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence studies on determination of thorium (in the range of 7 to 137 mg/mL) in phosphoric acid solutions obtained by dissolution of thoria in autoclave were made. Fixed amounts of Y internal standard solutions, after dilution with equal amount of phosphoric acid, were added to the calibration as well as sample solutions. Solution aliquots of approximately 2–5 µL were deposited on thick absorbent sheets to absorb the solutions and the sheets were presented for energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence measurements. A calibration plot was made between intensity ratios (Th Lα/Y Kα) against respective amounts of thorium in the calibration solutions. Thorium amounts in phosphoric acid samples were determined using their energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectra and the above calibration plot. The energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence results, thus obtained, were compared with the corresponding gamma ray spectrometry results and were found to be within average deviation of 2.6% from the respective gamma ray spectrometry values. The average precision obtained in energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence determinations was found to be 4% (1σ). The energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence method has an advantage over gamma ray spectrometry for thorium determination as the amount of sample required and measurement time is far less compared to that required in gamma ray spectrometry.     

The Inhibition of Calcite Dissolution/Precipitation: 1,2-Dicarboxylic Acids

The dissolution of calcite under conditions of high pH (8.0-9.0) is shown to be strongly inhibited by ca. 10 mM levels of the fully deprotonated forms of succinic acid, phthalic acid, and maleic acid. Channel flow cell measurements are used in each case to deduce the appropriate rate law for dissolution. For the maleate dianion it is demonstrated that the inhibition is likely due to the blocking of dissolution/growth sites at which CaCO₃ units are incorporated into or removed from the crystal lattice, whereas for the other two ions it arises from competitive Langmuirian adsorption of the dicarboxylate ions and CO^2-₃ on the calcite surface.     

Characteristics of oxygen exchange in phosphoric acid

The oxygen exchange between phosphoric acid and water at various temperatures and concentrations has been investigated in the presence and absence of K₂HPO₄. The minimum rate of exchange is observed for a solution concentration of 2–2.5 mole/l. It has been shown that in concentrated solutions of phosphoric acid the formation of H₄PO ₄ ⁺ is possible, and the true rate constant of the acid-catalytic conversion and the basicity constant of H₃PO₄ has been calculated. It has been found that in a solution where the mobility of the oxygen atom towards the anion increases, the value of the limiting current on the anodic dissolution of copper diminishes.     

Sorption extraction of lanthanides from phosphoric acid solutions

The possibility of sorption extraction of lanthanides from nitric-phosphoric and phosphoric acid solutions with inorganic sorbents based on hydrated titanyl hydrophosphate was studied. New technological solutions were suggested for lanthanide sorption from the products which are formed in processing of the Khibiny apatite concentrate on mineral fertilizers (frozen nitric-phosphoric acid extract, a product of nitric acid decomposition of apatite, and the production phosphoric acid from the dihydrate process).     

Solubility and physic-chemical properties of NaH2PO4 in phosphoric acid,sodium chloride and their mixture solutions at T = (298.15 and 313.15) K

In this study, solubility and physic-chemical properties of sodium dihydrogen phosphate in sodium chloride, phosphoric acid and their mixture solutions at T = (298.15 and 313.15) K have been investigated by using isothermal dissolution method. In the three systems, the solubility of NaH₂PO₄ always increases with the temperature increasing and decreases with molar concentration of phosphoric acid (sodium chloride) increasing because of the same ion effect. Solubility data of sodium dihydrogen phosphate in the mixed solution of sodium chloride and phosphoric acid is basically required for designing and optimizing the solvent extraction process in the industrial production.     

Determination of polonium-210 in phosphoric acid

Polonium-210 in phosphoric acid has been recognized as a significant source of alpha contamination of processed Si-wafers for memory devices of computer. In the present work, a convenient method was developed for the determination of trace²¹⁰Po in phosphoric acid of high purity. For the determination,²⁰⁹Po was used as a yield tracer. The present method consists of (1) addition of the tracer to 5 ml aliquot of phosphoric acid sample, (2) pH adjustment (to 2) of the sample solution to make up electrolytic solution, (3) electrodeposition for the simultaneous achievement of Po separation and preparation of counting source on stainless-steel disc, and (4) alpha-ray spectrometry. By the developed method, more than 95% of Po was separated from phosphoric acid sample onto counting disc. The minimum detectable radioactivity of²¹⁰Po in 5 ml of phosphoric acid was about 0.03 mBq by counting the electrodeposited alpha-activity for 10 days under a counting efficiency of ≈30%.